Burglar alarm



Dec. 27, 1927.

H.J. MURRAY BURGLAR ALARM Filed Jan. 17

heets-Sheet l wvmmm Hawzzrd .[Marrqy A TTORNEYS WI TNESSE S:

Dec. 27, 1927.

H. J. MURRAY BURGLAR ALARM Filed Jan. 17. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m |//vTOR Howard J'Murray WI T/VESSES:

TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 27, 19276 HOWAED J'. MURRAY, 0F BROOKLYN, NEWYURK, ASSIGNQR TO B. COMPANY me, Oh EAWE PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ACORPORATION (OF DELAWARE.

Application filed. January 17, 1920. Serial No. 352,214.

The invention relates in general to an automatic protective device formovable bodies, such as vehicles, constitutes a development of thesubject-matter disclosed n my Patents No. 1,288,128, forelectric-circuit control, patented December 17, 1918, and for electriccircuit controls, No. 1&00229 granted Dec. 13, 1921, and specificallythe invention relates to an audible alarm, a visual signal or othernotice compelling device which will function automatically whensubjected to a change of inertia.

In the above identified application it is suggested that an electriccircuit be formed which will include an electrically actuated signallingdevice and a circuit closer therefor which will become operative by achange in velocity or direction of the body on which the device ismounted. The present application discloses one commercially perfectedform of such acircuit forming organization of parts and also disclosesanother form of automatically actuated and inertially controlled circuitcloser diliering from the one shown in the said application.

The primary object of the invention 1s t0 provide a simple for-motburglar-proof signalling or alarm device which will functionautomatically when moved'or jarred and which will function when anyattempt is made to cause the device to become inoper- ,ative.

' Referring to the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinillustrated another objectis to provide a self-contained unit which willbe free of any external connection, except the fastening connection, andin which even the fastening connection is arranged so that it will notbe accessible for demounting U the device from its support by any usualmethod. Incidental to this general desideratum the inventioncontemplates the mounting of an alarm device, a source of power foractuating the same, and a governing control all housed within acontaining casing which is made of a burglar-proof ma terial anddesigned in accordance with approved PIMtiCG of small portable safeconstructions.

The invention further features a simple. unit which includes anelectrically actuated alarm device and source of electric energy thereoftogether with an automatically actuated circuit closer, all containedwithin the casing of the type described. In connection with thisfeature, a further object of the invention is to provide simply formedmeans for completing the circuit through the alarm device when any ofthe usual attempts to burglarize the casing is attempted.

Incidental to the general desideratum to provide a device which willdefeat any attempt to render the same inoperative surreptitiously afurther object of the invention is to provide for energizing the alarmcircuit when an attempt is made to drill through the casing, to eat orotherwise destroy the connection by means of an acid or sunilardestroying agency introduced into the casing, or when an attempt is madeto drown the alarm sound by the introduction of a liquid into thecasing.

Another object of the invention is to prov1de for a control operablefrom a position enter iorly of the casing for placing the device in afunctionally inoperative condition and for testing the electric circuitwhenever desired or when the device is set in its opera-tive condition.4

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be in partobvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part willbe more fully set forth in the following particular description of oneform of mechanism embodying my inventron, and the invention alsoconsists in certain new and novel features of construction andcombination of forth and claimed;

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an enlarged view in sideelevat1on of a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown mounted upona movable support which support in Figures 4 and 7 is shown to be a partof a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken axially through the deviceshown in Figure 1, and showing the contained mechanism unit in what maybe regarded as a side elevatlon similar to the showing in Figure 7 andfacing at right angles to the direction of movement of the supportingvehicle;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 parts hereinafter set showingpart of the assembly holder in section and showing the alarm andautomatic circuit closer inend elevation, looking at the same from theright hand side of the s lowing in Figure 2 and facing in the directionof travel of the support;

Figures 4 and 5 are each horizontal transverse sectional views takenrespectively on the lines 44 and 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of part of the automaticallyactuated, inertially controlled circuit closer;

Figure 7 is a diagrammaticview showing the outline of an automobile witha device such as is shown in Figure 1 mounted on the running board atthe left hand side of the machine;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections ofthe several parts of the device shown in the preceding figures;

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are detailed views showing the succeeding positionsof the combined lock and test circuit device; and

Figure 12 is an enlarged view showing the mounting of the device on oneof the chassis frame members of an automobile.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identifiedby specific names for convenience of expression but they are intended tobe as'generic in their application to similar parts as the art willpermit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and especially to the showing inFigures 2 and 3 there is shown a support which is liable to be moved.\Vhen the form of device shown in Figure 1 is mounted on an automobileit is preferably mounted on the left hand running board 31 so that itwill pass a traffic officers station on the near side. WVhen the deviceis designed as a structural part of an automobile body it will be builtup and contained within the outlines of the same, but in all cases theparts of the control mechanism is inaccessible to parties attempingsurreptitiously to remove or damage the same. In Figure 12 the device isshown to be in the preferred unitary form and mounted upon one of theenclosed chassis frame parts 32 of a vehicle. The mechanism is containedwithin a two-part casing 33. One part of the casing includes a widespreading base plate 34 positioned on the support 30 and provided withan upstanding and inset circular wall 35. The lower portion of the wallis provided with external screw threads 36 and the screw threaded rimthus formed is outset slightly from the portion of the wall intermediatethe top and bottom thereof. The wall is telescoped by means of the otherpart 37 which constitutes an enclosing cover. This cover is cylindricalwith a closed top and an open lower end in threaded engagement with thethreaded rim outlining-the base of the upstanding wall. These two partsof the casing are formed of high-' ly tempered steel so as to resistdrilling andin the form shown in Figures 2 and 3 coact to contain all ofthe mechanism necessary to constitute the alarm. The casing is thus freeof external connections except for the fastening device hereinafterdescribed and thus acts to defeat any attempt to destroy the device bycutting external connections. The wall is provided with small soundconducting perforations 38 and the lower portion of the cover 37 issimilarly provided with perforations 39 with each of the perforations 38offset from the perforations 39, so that it is not possible to introducea tool into the interior of the casing through any aligned openings. Thecover is provided with outwardly extending ribs 37 which are disposedadjaccnt thc perforations and designed in case a cover is placed overthe casing in an attempt to mufilo the sound from the interior of thecasing to form an air space exteriorly of the casing and open to one ormore of the perforations.

he portion of the cover 37 above the upper edge of the wall 35 is linedexcept for a portion of the top with a thin sheet metal shell 40designed to constitute an elec tric conductor for the purposehereinafter described. The shell is insulated from the cover by means ofan inner shell of insulating material 41. A notice-compelling,signalling or alarm device, herein shown to be an inverted hollow bell42 is positioned within the outline of the wall 35 and is shown to be ofthe largest possible size that can occupy the space within the outlinesof the wall 35. It is necessary in a device of this character that somedefinite type of alarm be adopted universally and it is to be assumedthat the bell disclosed is of such a type and sound therefrom is of somedistinct tone which will not be mistaken for the usual automobilewarning bell. The bell is held in position with the bottom constitutingthe apex of the dome and held to the support 30 by means of a bolt 43which has its head 44 fitted in a recess formed in a bolt plate 45positioned on the underside of the support 30 and below the base plate34. Lock nuts 46 engage the threaded portion of the bolt which extendsthrough the plate 45, through the base 34 and through the bottom of thebell to secure the parts rigidly together. A casting 47 constitutes anassembly holder for demountably supporting the mechanism and is providedwith a threaded socket 48 in its lower end disposed in screw threadedengagement with the end of the bolt which terminates within the interiorof the casing. and locking rod 49 extends through the holder 47 wit-hits head engaging the top thereof and with its opposite end threadedinto a socket 50 formed in the upper end of the bolt. B thisconstructionit is understood that by oosening the rod 49 (see Fig- A relatively longadjustment ure '4), the assembl to assume any angu ar position about itsvertical axis and by screwing the rod tightly into position the assemblyholder can be locked in any desired position, such as in a position tocause the automatic circuit closer hereinafter described, to functionwhen the support 30 is moved in any definite direction of travel, suchas in the forward movement of the vehicle shown in Figures 7 and 13.

The assembly holder is provided with means for demountably positioningthereon a source of electric energy 51 herein shown to be three drybattery cells 52 which are supported from a ledge 53 projectingrearwardly from the body portion of the assembly holder and which cellsare held in position by means of a strap 54. The lower end of the cellsare maintained in electric-contact by means of a conducting strip 55fastened thereto by rivets 56 and insulated from the ledge by means oftop and bottom insulating strips 57 and 58. The cells are electricallyconnected at their upper ends by L means of the conducting plate 59fastened to the top of the body portion by means of screws 60 andinsulated therefrom by means of an insulating strip 61. The plate 59 isprovided with upper, button contacts 62, herein shown to be large headedscrews,designed to be screwed into contact with the poles 63 of thecells and to be locked in position by the lock units '64. This plate isdesigned to be connected electrically with a plate 65 carried by thecover on the underside thereof, by means of a spring contact 66. In thisconstruction it will be understood that as the case covering is disposedin position an electric contact will be made at one end of the batteryof cells. The plate is provided at one edge with an extension 67constituting a lock spring contact and the circuit is completedtherefrom to the metal lining conductor by means of a circuitcontrolling lock 68. This lock is carried on'the inner side of thecasing andis provided with a bolt 69 designed to engage with the lockspring contact and thus complete the circuit when the bolt is thrown.This circuit lock is controlled by a suitable key which can be insertedinto the barrel 70 of the circuit lock from the outside of the casing.

The casing cover is locked against rotary movement by means of a caselock 71, the bolt 72 of which engages in a slot 73 in the top of thewall 35 and, as a matter of conveniencc, one key 7 indicated in dottedlines in Figure 2 may be utilized to control both (if the locks.

An electrounagnetically actuated bell-clap,

per 75 of conventional form is mounted on the front face of the assemblyholder and has its clapper 76 operatively disposed to sound the bell 42when the circuit. is completed through the bell clapper.

holder can be adjusted I by means of an lL-plate 80. An upstandingrocking frame 81 is pivotally supported be tween the arms 82 of thebracket on journalling screws 83 arranged so that the frame has freedomof movement about a horizontal axis disposed slightly above the centerof gravity of the frame. The lower part of the frame below the axis ofswing is weight ed by an electro-maguet 8t and terminates in arelatively heavy weight 85 defining the lower swinging end of therocking frame. The electro-magnet is provided at opposite ends with apair of upstanding cores 86 which project above the axis of swing andare disposed on opposite sides of a pivoting frame 87 constituting anupstanding portion of the rocking frame. A swinging pendulum 88constituting an armature is pivoted at its upper end on pivot pin 89 andis designed to swing in both directions into contact with either of thecores 86 so as to be held thereby when the electro-niagnet 84 isenergized. The armature is provided on opposite sides of its pivotalmounting with a pair of relatively movable spring contacts a 90 and 91,each of which contacts are designed in their outward swing away fromtheir normal open circuit position to contact respectively with one of apair of relatively fixed contacts 92 and 93 formed at opposite ends of ayoke member 9% fastened to the upper portion of the rocking frame bymeans of set screws 95 and insulated therefrom by insulating washers 96.

It will be understood that mechanically the device is complete, as thusfar described, when provided with certain electrical cou nections, asoutlined in Figure 8, but in order to defeat attempts to destroy theoperativeness of the device additional features are in;- corporated andillustrated in the preferred embodiment. Two of such features arehereinafter identified as an acid alarm 97 and a liquid alarm 98 bothmounted within the outline of the upstanding wall and positionedadjacent the bottom of the base. These devices are each intended toclose the, normal actuating circuit and to cause the device to soundwhen an attempt is made to destroy the connection by the introduction ofacids or to drown the operation of the device by introducing water orother con'duct ing or non-conducting liquid.

Referring particularly to the acid alarm, as shown in Figure 3, it is tobe understood that a grounding plate 99 is fastened between the base 34and the bell 42 and extends into the space between the bell and thebottom of the base. A coacting terminal 100 of a conductor 101 is heldinsulated from and in spaced relation to the strip 99 by means of someabsorbent material 102 such as blotting paper.

It will be understood that when acid is introduced in the casing it willsaturate the insulating blotting paper and thus either eat the paper sothat contact will be made between the terminal 100 and the groundingplate 99 or the acid itself will provide the necessary conductingsubstance to complete the short circuiting.

Referring particularly to the liq uid alarm, it will be noted that thestrip 99 extends from the center of the casing in the opposite directionand in this case is flexible so as to be moved freely in an upwarddirection. It is provided at its outer free end with a float device101', such as a cork which in its upward floating movementwill engage aspring contact 102' constituting the terminal of a conductor 103. Bythis means should liquid be introduced into the casing the rising corkfloat will complete the shunt circuit and sound the device as will beunderstood when reference is made to=the elec tric diagram shown inFigure 8. The casing is provided with a drain outlet 104 for preventingthe accumulation therein of other substances which might effect theoperation of the device. It is found desirable, especially where storagebatteries are used, to test out the main circuit and for this purposeanother normally open circuit is provided and which, as shown in Figure8, includes the alarm 75, the source of power 51 and a wiping contactbetween the bolt 105 of the lock 71 and a spring finger 106 grounded onthe casing.

Referring to the showing in Figures 9 to 11, inclusive, it will be notedthat an insulating strip 107 is inset in the side of the bolt and insuch a manner that as the bolt is shot into locking position contactwill be made lllOIi'lOlltflI'llY as the advance side 107 of the boltpasses the spring contact 67, thus causing the u'ioiuentary closing ofthis circuit. The spring passing onto the insulating strip will againbreak the circuit. During the instant of time that the spring is incontact with the metal part of the bolt the alarm device will sound thusindicating to the user thatthe device is in operative condition.

By means of a device of this character it is possible to provide a formof signalling device which will function automatically when moved andwhich will continue to function irrespective of any surreptitiousattempt to render the device inoperative. The automatic circuit closingfeature of the device can be designed so sensitive that when positionedon an automobile the mere stepping of a person upon the running board orthe jarring of the machine by the colli-- sion therewith of anothermachine will be sufficient to start the alarm. At the same time thealarm will not be sounded during the maintenance of the car in itsnormal running condition as when moving on an incline. The device whenutilized as an attachment to a moving body is otherwise independent ofthe body or any of its movable parts so that it'cannot be affected bythe inoperativeness of parts external to itself. The device is at alltimes under the authorized control of the operator but will resist anyattempt to burglarizc the same by any of the known methods.

While I have shown and described, and have pointed out in the annexedclaims, certain novel features of my invention, it will he understoodthat various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form anddetails of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base memberincluding an upstanding wall wide open at the top and provided withsound conducting perforations, a cover of greater hei ht than the walltelescoping said wall and provided with perforations confined to itslower part, each offset from the perforations in the wall thereby toprevent'direct access to the interior of the wall and sound creatingmeans within the outlines of said wall and extending upwardly into theunperforated part of the cover. 7

'2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a mechanismcontaining casing" provided with perforations to permit sound waves toissue therefrom, sound producing means contained within the casing,means contained within the casing for inaugurating the action of saidsound pro- -ducing means, said casing provided with outwardly extendingprojections disposed adjacent the perforations and designed in case acover is placed over the casing in an attempt to muflie the sound fromthe interior of the casing to form an air space exteriorly of the casingand open to one or more of the perforations.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a mechanismcontaining casmeans within'the casing for forming an electric circuit,said means including an electrically actuated sound producing member,and a circuit closer including movable means carried by the post inspaced relation to the casing and operatively controlled by mg, a postdisposed centrally in the casing,,

a movement in space of the casing thereby to actuate the sound producingmember and means Within the casing for forming'a shunt circuit, saidmeans including said sound producing member and a circuit Icloser forsaid'shunt circuit, said last named circuit closer provided with meansfor placing the same in operative condition by means of a key insertedinto the casing.

4. In adevice of the class described, the combination of a mechanismcontaining casing provided with a base support therefore, a bolt forfastening said casing to the support, a mechanism carrying unit threadedto the portion of the bolt extending into the interior of said casing, alocking rod passin through said unit and threaded into said bolt, saidrod being contained entirely within said casing and its support therebypreve'nting'the demounting of the unit Wh1le the casing is closed.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support, amechanism containing casing carried by said support, a bolt plate on theunderside of said support provided with a bolt-head-receiving-recess, abolt having its head located within the outlines of said recess, saidbolt passed through said support and into said casing, a lock nut forsecuring the casing to the bolt, an assembly holderrotatablymounted onsaid bolt, and an adjustment-and-locking rod passing through said holderand eniagin said bolt to secure the holder in rotata ly a justedposition on the bolt. L I

6. A device of the class described including a burglar proof mechanismcontaining casing comprising a pair of telescoped cylindrlcal walls,means for locking the walls together, a hollow bell housed within thewalls and substantially filling the available space at one end of thecasing, an alarm circuitincluding mechanism for actuating the same, bothpartially contained within the outlines of the bell and completelycontained within the casing.

7. A device of the class described, the combination of a mechanismcontaining casing, a bolt slate rovided with a recess on its 'undersi e,a olt having its head fitted in said recess and extending through thebolt plate into said casin means within the casing for lockin the b0 tin place, a holder positioned in sai casing, secured to said bolt andadjustable, thereon about a vertical axis, and alarm mechanism mountedon said holder completelyenclosed. in said casing and shifted with theholder about said vertical axis.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of atwo-partburglar proof casing, one part including a base with an up standingcircular wall, the other part constituting an enclosingcover-telescoping the circular wall and spaced therefrom, means forlocking the cover in place, said cover provided on its inner side with-ametal shell constituting an electric conductor insulated from the cover,and'an electric circuit and control mechanism therefor completely housedwithin and protected by said casing and inaccessible fromthe outside ofthe locked movement, said cover provided on its inner side with a metalshell constituting an elecbasing, said electric circuit including saidtric conductor insulated from the cover and said shell provided with abolt engaging part, an electric circuit and control mechanism thereforcompletel housed within and ro- ,tected by said casing and inaccessiblerom the o utside of the locked casing, saidvelectric circuit includingsaid electric conductor whereby the removal of the cover will ren-- derthe electric circuit inoperative and a circuit controllin lock having abolt adapted to engage said olt engaging part on the con-. ductingshell'to control the circuit and includin key'controlled mechanisms foractuating t e bolt from the exterior of the casing.

10; A device ofthe class described comprising a mechanism containingcasing, a contra post, a holder mounted on'said postfor movement about avertical axis, an electric alarm device completely housedwithin saidcasing and inclu ng a control mechanism operable when the device ismovedin one direction, said control being mounted on said holder andadjustable therewith about said vertical axis. p 11. A device of theclass described-comprising a mechanism containing casing, 11. oldermounted centrally in said casing, means includin stitutin part 0 analarm circuit carried b said he der, and said holder provided witcontrol mechanism conmeans for demountably positioning thereon a sourceof electric energy for said circuit, said casing encloslng all parts ofsaid circu t and said control mechanlsm and including means providingauthorized access to the interior ereof for replenishing said source.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, this 5th day of January, A. D. 1920.

HOWARD J. MURRAY.

